How to Reduce Rounded Cheeks without making Mistakes

Medically reviewed and approved by Nataniel Josue M.D.

How to reduce rounded cheeks without surgery? Nowadays, it is a trend that women want to have a more refined face and disguise the size of the cheeks. Many treatments can help to reduce the cheeks without the need for surgery and the feared operating room. Our doctor provides answers here:

To reduce round cheeks without surgery, as an option you have the Bichectomy to remove the Bichat Balls where the accumulated fat is extracted. There is also mesotherapy, where lipolytic substances are injected and expelled through urine. Also, you can practice facial exercises and good nutrition. (Reliable sources, 1*, 2*, 3*)

That said, here are the techniques and remedies to reduce the cheeks’ size through procedures that do not require surgery and help to show off a sharper face.

What are the cheeks?

The cheeks are the two prominences on the face, located below the eyes, they are the fleshy part of the face above the zygomatic bone. This bone extends from the cheekbones to below the jaw and next to the lips.

Although there are round faces that look very pretty, they can pose aesthetic problems in many instances. A face with round cheeks may convey the impression that the person is overweight. An increase of the size of the cheeks may be due to factors such as weight gain or fluid retention. You can solve this with treatments that do not require surgery:

Treatments to reduce the cheeks

Bichectomy

Bichat's balls are pockets of fatty tissue that are located under the deepest layer of the face. They are located under the cheekbones and between the masseter and buccinator muscles. Their size and volume vary from one person to another due to genetic causes and can give the face a rounded appearance. ( 4*)

What is a Bichectomy?

Bichectomy is a surgical intervention where they remove the excess volume of the Bichat bags. This procedure makes the face narrower and elongated.

In the bichectomy, the removal of the Bichat balls is performed through an incision of 1 to 2 centimeters long inside the mouth, at the level of the upper molar. This treatment can last less than 1 hour and is performed under local anesthesia. It is a minimally invasive procedure with a short postoperative period and no visible external scars.

Bichectomy, problems

This treatment can be highly effective. However, some specialists have warned that in the long term, it can have unwanted effects such as:

• Premature aging. This happens because you are advancing the aging process. There is a loss of facial fat.
• Anatomical distortions. It can also cause anatomical distortions, which may give a more aged appearance. In this case, liposuction is the solution to correct this undesirable consequence.

After the bichectomy, it is necessary to wear chin support (a girdle for the face) for at least 3 days, 24 hours a day, and a month to sleep. This is the most uncomfortable part of the postoperative period.

If you wish to preserve the results in the long term, it is necessary to maintain a healthy diet. Although once removed, the Bichat bags do not grow back, if you do not take care of your diet, the fat deposits in the face will continue to grow and occupy the space of the removed fat in the cheeks.

Post Bichectomy care:

• Soft diet for 1 week.
• Place ice on the cheeks for 20 minutes every hour.
• During the first 3 days, remain in moderate rest at home. During this rest, you should not do anything that requires effort. Avoid smiling.
• You can perform your daily activities but avoid sun exposure or exercise.

Recovery time:

This procedure is painless. The swelling is minimal, and 7 days after the operation, it will not seem like you had surgery. Usually, you will remain a little swollen for the first 5 days. The swelling will have gone down 90% after 1 month, which is the time to see the final results. You should not expose yourself to the sun, as it prolongs the swelling process and prevents healing. I recommend waiting at least 1 month before exposing yourself to sunlight.

Facial mesotherapy

Facial mesotherapy is a treatment that consists of the application of vitamins, minerals, and hyaluronic acid to revitalize the skin and improve its appearance. Lipolytic injectable products are used to reduce the cheeks. These help the body dissolve the fat and convert it into water to be expelled through urine.

Number of mesotherapy sessions to reduce the cheeks:

The number of sessions depends on each patient. You have to consider that the old fat that has been in the body the longest is the most difficult to eliminate since it is more embedded. Ideally, 3 to 10 sessions are necessary, to be carried out once or twice a week. This mesotherapy is indicated from 25 to 30 years of age with a 2 to 4 hours recovery time. It takes 4 to 7 days to begin to notice the effects.

Side effects of facial mesotherapy:

Side effects are not usually present. One of the more common that may occur is the appearance of minor bruises in the treated areas. These bruises will disappear in a few days.

Care of the cheeks after facial mesotherapy:

As the primary care, it is recommended not to sunbathe until 24 to 48 hours have passed and apply a good sunscreen. It is also ideal to use moisturizers composed of Vitamin K1.

Recommendations:

Facial mesotherapy has no rebound effect nor contraindications. But you have to consider that sometimes the cheeks have more volume because of a poor diet. Doctors recommend to the patient to eat a healthy diet after undergoing mesotherapy to prevent the problem from reappearing in the cheeks.

Results of facial mesotherapy treatment:

With this treatment, you will notice that the fat is gradually disappearing, and the facial oval shape is becoming more defined. The objective of mesotherapy is to eliminate fat and tighten the skin. Therefore, you have to combine mesotherapy with the application of creams that have a firming and toning effect.

You should note that we expel fat through urine. Therefore, it is essential to drink at least 2 liters (8.5 cups) of water a day during the treatment.

If you wish to improve the volume of your cheeks and the smoothness of the skin, it is advisable to combine mesotherapy with other techniques such as radiofrequency or laser.

Recombinant enzymes for facial contouring

This enzyme-based treatment helps to reshape the face. It is performed through injections in the jowls and cheeks to accommodate the misplaced tissues and thus achieve facial contouring.

In addition to reducing localized fat, this treatment eliminates skin flaccidity. It is recommended to perform 4 sessions in 15 days. You will see the changes from the first session.

Ultra-lift hifu

This lipo laser proportionally reaffirms the muscles. With this treatment, many points of heat produce contraction in the tissues at the same time. With this contraction, the muscle layer is reached just like surgery but without being invasive.

With the "ultra-lift hifu" laser, it is possible to reduce jowls, cheekbones, cheeks, and eye contour. After applying this technique, you can return to your daily activities.

Exilis

Exilis is a British technology treatment that simultaneously combines ultrasonic waves and high-power monopolar radiofrequency.

This procedure reduces fat deposits and rearranges the collagen fibers. This treatment requires 6 to 12 sessions of 30 minutes.

Tricks to reduce round cheeks without surgery 

Eat fewer calories

Reduce the calories in your daily diet to reduce your cheeks’ size; you must burn more calories than you put into your body. To do this, you must prepare a low-calorie diet so that your body can metabolize it better.

Watch your carbohydrate and fried food intake

To help reduce cheeks, you must restrict the intake of bread, rice, and non-wholegrain pasta. These foods increase fat in the face. Also, cut down on foods cooked with a lot of oil. These dishes contribute many calories that increase the volume of the cheeks.

Hydrate your body 

Sometimes the cheeks are round because they retain fluid due to excess salt and saturated fats. By consuming plenty of water, you help the body detoxify and eliminate toxins and fat accumulated in the face and other body areas. In addition to drinking water, you can drink different liquids such as natural infusions, teas, and natural juices. Consume at least 2.5 liters (10.5 cups) of water a day.

Eat a diet high in fiber

Legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole grains are healthy foods that contain a lot of fiber. They are low in calories and provide the body with a lot of energy. For this reason, they should be included in your diet immediately. Leave aside those foods with a lot of fat, such as industrially produced pastries or highly processed foods that make your cheeks fat.

Exercise

Sedentary life and work are some of the problems that arise when you try to lose weight. However, dedicate yourself to exercise 3 or 4 times a week. At first, you will notice that you reduce the volume in other areas of the body, but the cheeks will also decrease over time, so you must be consistent and patient.

If you do not have much time, some simple ways to increase exercise is to ride a bike or walk to work. Also, use the stairs instead of the elevator at home or the office.

Massage your face

Massages are done on the back or legs and on the cheeks to reduce their size. Use a specialist or do it yourself at home as small pinches around the jaw area and circular massages on the cheeks. These massages exercise the entire face.

Use facial masks

There are facial masks composed of natural products that help you to slim your cheeks. The best way to apply them is with gentle circular massages to absorb the ingredients more quickly.

Make up your face

An effective way to conceal the size of your cheeks and slim your face is to apply makeup. It involves using two shades of makeup on crucial areas of the face without overloading them.

Consume less alcohol

When you consume alcohol, your body dehydrates, which leads to fluid retention and swelling of your face. Alcohol causes you to gain weight in all areas of your body and also in your cheeks.

Facial exercises

There are some simple exercises specifically for slimming your cheeks:

• Tilt your head back, hold the position for 10 seconds, then return to the starting position, rest for 5 seconds, and repeat the exercise 10 times.
• Place your lips in position as if you were going to give a kiss, but with your lips closed and suck for 15 seconds and repeat several times.
• Repeat the vowels out loud with exaggerated gestures and keeping your mouth open in the position of each letter for 20 seconds.
• Hold a wide smile for 10 seconds, repeating this gesture several times.
• Inflate your cheeks with air and keep it inside your mouth for 20 seconds.

Natural remedies to lower the cheeks

Cucumber and lemon

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber.
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice.

Preparation:

1. Place the sliced cucumber in a bowl and add the lemon juice.
2. Let it stand for 2 hours.
3. Put the cucumber slices on your cheeks and let them act for 20 minutes.
4. Then rinse with water and neutral soap.
5. Repeat this process 3 times a week.

Egg and honey

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs.
• 1 tablespoon of honey.

Preparation:

1. Separate the egg whites from the yolks.
2. Mix the egg whites with the honey and apply on your face for 20 minutes.
3. Rinse with warm water.
4. Repeat this process twice a week.

Coffee, cocoa, honey, and yogurt

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of ground coffee.
• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
• 1 tablespoon of honey from below.
• 3 tablespoons of natural yogurt honey.

Preparation:

1. Place all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Mix very well until you get a homogeneous paste.
3. Apply the paste to your cheeks and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Repeat the mask twice a week.

Conclusion

Although these treatments are not particularly invasive, do not forget that they must be applied with approved equipment and products by appropriate medical staff. Try to reduce your cheeks’ size by exercising combined with a balanced diet. If you do so, your face will look thinner and less round.

Finally, do not forget to apply some anti-wrinkle and anti-sagging creams to prevent the skin from sagging due to weight loss.